Vault



W. H. HOLLAR.

VAULT.

Arms/mou mi Aue.2. me.

1,309,200. Patented July 8,1919.

Ha'. HG1 .JP/GM d@ INVENTORz.

-WILLIAM I-I. HO'LLAR, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

VAULT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 8, 1919.

Application filed August 2, 1916. Serial No. 113,028.

To all whom may concern.'

Be it known that I, IVILLIAM I'l. Homan, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Vaults, whereof the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to means for reinforcing walls disposed in transverse relation, by flanged rails, conveniently of the ordinary track type, arranged in series of parallel rails, respectively embedded in said walls so as to intersect each other at their ends, and cut and fitted so as to interlock with each other, at their ends, independently of other connecting means.

I am aware that it is not broadly new to reinforce walls by embedding ordinary track rails therein. However, as far as I am aware, all such structures of the prior art are of two general classes, to Wit, first, structures in which such rails are disconnected from each other, so as to be merely indi.- vidual reinforcing elements, entirely independent of each other, and, second, structures in which the rails are connected with each other, by other media, distinct from the rails, for effecting such connection; such connecting means including bolts, nuts, wedges, splines, and various other so called locking members.

Structures in accordance with my invention are distinguished from the first class aforesaid in that the rail elements of my invention are integrated in la single reinforcing structure in which they mutually coperate to support and retain each other. Structures in accordance with my invention are distinguished from the second class aforesaid in that the integration of the individual rails to form the reinforcing structure is effected without any elements other than the rails themselves.

My invention may be employed with particular advantage in the construction of protecting walls for a safe deposit vault; wherein it is important to so integrate the structure that it cannot be disintegrated by the independent removal of individual elements. As hereinafter described, thev construction and arrangement of my invention is such that no individual rail element thereof may be displaced without simultaneously displacing at least one other rail disposed in transverse relation thereto `and normally intcrengagcd therewith, and it is to be particularly noted that ordinar 1 track rails may be thus rendered capable of being mutually interlocked and integrated by merely cutting away portions of vtheir flanges. I have illustrated my invention with reference to ordinary track rails because lthey afford the least costlymaterial having the required strength; such rails being adc pted for use in accordance with my invention even when so far worn las to be discarded as railway equipment. However, it is to be understood that I do not desire to limit the applica-tion of my invention to rails of the specific contour designed for railway tracks, asA it is obvious that other bars having base and head flanges, of different configuration, suchv as are ordinarily found iu commerce, may be utilized in accordance with my invention. For instance, such commercial structural elements as are known as deck beams and I beams,

`either unitary, or .formed of primarily sepavation, a wall reinforcement which is an in- V tegral structureformed in accordance with my invention of four series of parallel rails interlockcd with each other, at their ends, in rectangular relation.

lli II is a fragmentary elevation of the leftV hand side of the structure shown in Fig. I.

Fig. III is a fragmentary elevation of the right hand side of the structure shown in Fig.V I.

Fig. IV is a fragmentary plan view of the structure shown in Fig. I.

Fig. V is a fragmentary perspective view of the lower end of one of the left hand vertical rails shown in Fig. I,

Eig, VI is a fragmentary perspective view of the left hand end of one of the horizontal Jbottom' rails shown'in Fig. I.

In said figures; the vault wall reinforcement is formed of individual rails, of the ordinary track type, each having a central longitudinal web with. opposite longitudinal base flanges and opposite longitudinal head flanges, and includes, at the bottom of the structure, a horizontal series of parallel rails 1 spaced to receive such a rail web between.

their base flanges 2. Each of said rails, has a pair of notches 3, adjacent each end, extending through its base lianges, and alined upon opposite sides of its central web 5, which is also provided with opposite head fianges 6, and each of said notches 3 is shaped to receive and fit a base flange of a similar rail set normally therein. rlhe two opposite vertical side series of parallel rails 8 are each spaced to receive such a rail web 5 between their respectively proximal base flanges 9, and are respectively set normally in said base flange notches 3 of said bottom series of rails 1. Each rail 8 of said vertical series has a pair of notches 11 extending through its base flanges 9 in position to receive the opposite head flanges 6 of adj oiningl rails 1 of said bottom series; said notches 11 being alined upon opposite sides of its ccntral web 12, which is also provided with opposite longitudinal head flanges 13. Each of said notches 11 is of such extent, longitudinally with respect to said vertical rails 8, as to permit thel latter to be raised and lowered to the extent of the thickness of the base flanges 2 on said horizontal rails 1. Each rail 8 of said vertical series also has, adjacent its upper end, a pair of notches 14 extending through its base flanges 9, the notches of each pair being alined upon opposite sides of its web 12, and each notch shaped to fit the base flange of a similar rail set horizontally therein.

It may be observed that said upper notches 14 in said rails 8 are of precisely the same configuration as the notches 3 in said rails 1, and spaced precisely the same distance from the ends of said rail 8. Therefore, it is to be understood that said rails 8 may be fitted to and interlocked, at their upper ends, with atop series of rails, precisely as said rails 1 are interlocked with said rails 8 at their lower ends. However, I find it convenient to simplify the structure by employing for the horizontal top series, rails 16 which are of the same length as the rails 1 but unnotched. Said rails 16 have the opposite ends of their flanges 17 extending through the notches 14 in the base flanges of said side rails 8 and abutting against the head flanges 13 of thelatter rails. Said four series of parallel rails 1, 8, 8, and 16 are thus interlocke-d in rectangular relation.

Of course, all of the joints between the four series of rails may be formed like the lower joints by notching all the rails as in Figs. V and VI.

The structure shown including said rails 1, 8 and 16 may be easily assembled with said rails interlocked in the rectangular relation shown in F ig. I, by laying one of said rails 1 upon a suitable foundation 18;v then set ting a rail 8 vertically at each end thereof in the corresponding base flange notches 3 of said rail 1; then setting one of said rails 16 in the corresponding` notches 14 in the base fianges of said side rails 8; then setting another bottom rail 1, upon said foundation 18, in the parallel spaced relation with the first rail 1 indicated in the drawing and with its notches 3 engaging the corresponding base fianges 9 of said rails 8; and so on until the desired length of rectangular tubular reinforcement required is formed.

However, the construction and arrangement of the interlocking notches above described is such that the entire series of bottom rails 1 may be laid upon said founda tion and rigidly secured thereto in the parallel spaced relation shown in the drawing, before any of the other elements of the reinforcing structure are placed in position. Thereupon, the vertical side rails 8 may be set in the complementary notches 3 in the proximal base flanges 2 of said rails 1 by restingl the lower end of each rail 8 upon the upper surface of the base flanges of said rails 1, at the ends of the lat-ter, and sliding said rails 8 inwardly until they register with said notches 3; the notches 11 being elongated in the direction of' the length of said rails 8 to permit them to be assembled in that manner, and also to permit. the structure to be readily taken apart. The top horizontal rails 16 may also be set in engagement with said rails 8, after the latter have been set in engagement with said rails 1; by thrusting one end of each of said rails 16, into its corresponding complementary notches 14 in the base flanges of said rails 8; with said rail 16 inclined upwardly toward the opposite wall so as to clear the upper ends of the rails 8 upon that side of the reinforcing structure; and tilting the subjacent upper ends of said rails 8 outwardly, far enough to clear the superimposed ends of said rails 16; thus permitting the latter to be lowered into alinement with the notches 14 in the rails 8 thus tilted outwardly, so that the latter may be returned to vertical position, into interlocked relation with said rails 16.

Of course, the reinforcing structure above described may be taken apart by reversing either operation of assembling it as above described. However, it may be observed that none of the top rails 16 may be removed without simultaneously movin-g the side rails 8 interlocked therewith. Likewise, it is impossible to remove any side rail 8,. without also simultaneously moving the top rails 16 interlocked therewith, and in order toV remove any bottom rail 1, extending between said rails 8, it is necessary to not only simultaneously move the latter but also the upper rails 16 resting thereon. Therefore, said reinforcing structure, of itself,v affords an efficient barrier to felonious entry to the interior of the inclosure 2O which it forms. However, it is, to be understood that said structure is embedded in walls 2l indicated by dotted lines in Fig. I, formed of concrete or similar material, which, fills the interstices between the adjoining faces, flanges and edges. of said rails where they are interlocked with each other and must be removed to permit the relative movement of the individual rails necessary preliminary to their respective v removalV from the structure in which they are integrated as above described.

In view of the state of the art to which this invention relates; it is to be particularly noted that the interlockingV of Vthe single series ofV rails included in the respective walls as above described is effected without any securing means other than the rails and the concrete or similar material which fills the interstices between them.

1t may be observed that the rails in the respective series 8 and 16 all have their heads outward and their base flanges inward with respect to the inclosure; so that wide spaces are afforded between their heads (as indicated at 13 in Fig. 1V) to permit the material of the filling to interlock therewith in such massive form that there is no tendency for it to scale off, as would be the case if the rails were disposed in close relation so as to present a substantially continuous metallic surface, as is characteristic of some of the reinforcements of the prior art. Moreover, it is to be noted that the rails in the respective series are in such spaced relation, as to their base flanges, that the cen-V tral webs of the rails in one series may be interposed between the ends of the rails in the other series. Such spaced relation not only affords interstices between the bases of the rails for interlocking connection of the concrete 0r other lling material aforesaid, but Vpresents the maximum of metal reinforcement at the overlapped ends of Vthe rails, at the corners of the inclosure which, otherwise, are more susceptible of attack.

1 do not desire to limit myself to the prei cise details of construction and arrangement herein set forth, as it is obvious that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the essential features of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

1 claim 1. In a vault wall reinforcement, formed of rails each having` a central longitudinal web with opposite longitudinal base flanges and opposite longitudinal head flanges; the combination with a horizontal bottom series oi' parallel rails, spaced to receive such rail web between their base flanges, and each having a pair of notches adjacent each end, extending through its base flanges, the notches of each pair being alined upon opposite sides of its web, and each notch shaped to fit the base flange of such a rail set norqmally therein; of two opposite vertical side series of parallel rails, each series spaced to receive such a rail web between their respectively proximal base flanges, and respectively set normally in said base flange notches of said bottom series of rails, each rail of said vertical series having a pair of notches extending through its base flanges in position to receive the opposite head flanges of adjoining rails of said bottoni series, said lnotches being oit such extent, loin gitudinally with respect to said vertical `ails, as to permit the latter to be raised and lowered to the extent of the thickness of the base flanges on said horizontal rails; each rail of said vertical series having, adjacent its opposite'end, a pair of notches extending` through its base flanges, the notches of each pair being alined upon opposite sides of its web, and each notch shaped to fit the base flange of such a rail set horizontally therein; and a horizontal top series of parallel rails having their opposite ends extending through the last named notches in the base flanges 'of said side rails, and abutting` against the head flanges of the latter rails; whereby1 said four series of parallel rails are interlocled in rectangular relation.

2. ln a vault wall reinforcement. formed of rails each having a central longitudinal web with opposite longitudinal base flanges and opposite longitudinal head flanges; vthe combination with a horizontal series of parallel rails. spaced to receive such a rail web between their base flanges, and each having a pair or" notches adjacent each end`v extending through its base flanges, the notches of each pair being alined upon opposite sides of its web, and each notch shaped to fit the base flange of such a. rail set normally therein; of two opposite vertical side series of parallel rails, each series spaced to receive snch a rail web between their respectively proximal base flanges, and respectively set normally in. said base flange notches of said horizontal series of rails. each rail of' said vertical series having a pair of notches extending through its base flanges in position to receive the opposite head flanges of adjoining` rails of said horizoiital series, said notches being` of' such extent, longitudinally with respect to said vertical rails, as to permit the latter to be raised and lowered to the extent of the thickness of the base flanges on said horizontal rails; each rail of said vertical series having, adjacent its opposite end, means for interlocking with another horizontal series of' rails; and a second horizontal series of parallel rails having at their opposite ends means 'for interlocking with said vertical rails; whereby said four series of parallel rails are interlocked in rectangular relation.

3. 1n a vault wall reinforcement, formed of rails each having a central longitudinal web with opposite longitudinal base flanges and opposite longitudinal head flanges; the

combination with a horizontal series of parallel rails, spaced to receive such a rail web between their base flanges, and each having a pair of notches adjacent each end, extending through its base flanges, the notches of each pair being alined upon opposite sides of its web, and each notch shaped to fit the base flange of such a rail set normally therein; of two opposite vertical side series of parallel rails, each series spaced to receive such a rail web between their respectively proximal base flanges, and respectively set normally in said base flange notches of said horizontal series of rails, each rail of said vertical series having a pair of notches extending through its base flanges in position to receive the opposite head anges of adjoining' rails of said horizontal series, said notches being of such extent, longitudinally with respect to said vertical rails, as to permit the latter to be raised and lowered to the extent of the thickness of the base flanges on said horizontal rails.

l. In a vault wall reinforcement, formed of rails each having a, central longitudinal web with opposite longitudinal base flanges and opposite longitudinal head flanges; the combination with a series of parallel rails, spaced to receive such a rail web between their base flanges, and each having a pair of notches adjacent its end, extending through its base flanges, the notches of each pair being alined upon opposite sides of its web, and each notch shaped to fit the base flange of such a rail set normally therein; of another series of parallel rails, spaced to receive such a rail web between their respectively proximal base flanges, and set norinally in said base flange notches of said first series of rails, each rail of said second series ,having a pair of notches extending throughits base flanges in position to receive the opposite head flanges of adjoining rails of said first series, saidA notches being of such extent, longitudinallyV with respect to said second rails, as to permit the latter to be raised and lowered to the extent of the thickness of the base flanges on said first rails. A

5. In a vault wall reinforcement, formed of rails each having a central longitudinal web with opposite longitudinal base flanges and'- opposite longitudinalv head flanges; the combination with twoparallel rails, spaced to receive such a rail web between ltheir base flanges, and each having a notch adjacent its end, extending through its base flange, the notch in each rail being opposite the notch in the other rail, and forming therewith a recess shaped to receive the base flanges of such a rail set normally therein; of another rail, set normally in the base flange notches of said first two rails, and having a pair of notches extending through its base flanges in position to receive the opposite head flanges of said first two rails, said notches in said single rail being of such extent, longitudinally with respect thereto, as to permit said rail to be raisedand lowered to the ex tent of the thickness of the base flanges of said first two rails.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this 12th day of July 1916.

VILLIAM` H. HOLLAR. lllitnesses M. H. HoLLAR, Jr., G. V. ADAMS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

